KEY
Off-road riding
On-road riding
Parking
Take care
BHS Paralympic Legacy Access Project –
Peak District Drive
Approximately 10 miles OS Explorer OL24
Crown copyright and database rights
2013 Ordnance Survey 10000176652007
DO NOT MAKE COPIES OF THIS MAP
Property of The British Horse Society –
Map produced 05/03/2013
Route Description
Derbyshire
Name: Peak District Ride. Approx. 10 miles. Map No. OL24 OS Explorer 1:25000
Due to the hilly nature of the countryside, the Peak District at first may not seem suitable for
carriage driving. However, this isn’t the case – especially in the southern area around Matlock and
Ashbourne. Alongside the development of various tourist activities, there has also been the
recognition of the practical needs associated with physical disability, making this a picturesque and
enjoyable ride for carriage drivers.
The following Route is just one of many possibilities offering the option of:
(i) being driven/ridden as a ‘one off’ day out in fabulous countryside, or
(ii) being ridden while on a break or family holiday, as the surrounding area offers a fantastic range
of other sports and activities for all members of a family – even those not interested in riding or
driving horses/ponies.
Route description
Starting from Wirksworth Dale Car Park, north of Brassington (note this park is accessed via a narrow
lane)
1. Follow down the track leading from the car park and turn right when you meet the road.
2. Continue to follow this road for approx. 1.5 miles until reaching the B5056.
3. Cross over carefully (fast traffic) and continue for approx. 1.5 miles.
4. Turn left along a track passing Rockhurst Farmhouse on your left (This track looks very rutted
at the start but improves further on. The surface remains stony for the entire length – see
picture). This section needs to be driven with care.
5. On reaching Mouldridge Lane turn left (opposite a stone wall) and continue round a sharp
bend until you reach The Mininglow High Peak Trail Car Park and Picnic site.
6. Continue for a short distance and turn left at the next road junction (signed Parwich).
7. On reaching the High Peak Trail sign (548) turn left down a tarmac road, passing Roystone
Cottages on your right.
8. Continue along this pathway until you reach a cattle grid and go through the gate alongside
it.
9. From here continue to Roystone Grange (on your right).
10. Continue along the path, keeping the steep grassy hill on the left, passing through a gate.
11. Further down, beware Ballidon Quarry entrance on your right and lorries may be turning
in to quarry.
12. On reaching the road, turn left towards Ballidon.
13. Continue for approximately one mile until you reach a road junction. Turn left (signed Long
Cliffe, and after a third of a mile you will reach the B5056.
14. Turn left (signed Bakewell) and continue up the steep uphill road for approximately one mile,
after which you turn right onto Pasture Lane (signed at the end of lane Spencer Bos. 1903).
15. Continue for three quarters of a mile until you reach the T-junction, at which you turn left to
Brassington.
16. In Brassington pass the Olde Gate Inne pub on your right and at the church, bear left down
Jaspers Lane and after a short distance bear right onto Maddock Lane.
17. On reaching the road junction at the end of the lane turn left (signed Wirksworth) and
continue up the hill for a short distance turning right back into the car park.
Alternative route – There is a shorter route of approximately seven miles which does not involve
either crossing or riding/driving on the B5065 starting at Mininglow Car Park.
1. Turn right out of the car park, and left at next junction (signed Parwich).
2. On reaching the High Peak Trail sign (548) turn left down a tarmac road, passing Roystone
Cottages on your right.
3. Continue along this pathway until you reach a cattle grid and go through the gate alongside
it.
4. From here continue to Roystone Grange (on your right).
5. Continue along the path, keeping the steep grassy hill on the left, passing through a gate.
6. Further down BEWARE Ballidon Quarry entrance on your right and lorries may be turning
in to quarry.
7. On reaching the road (marked D on your map) turn left towards Ballidon.
8. Continue for approximately one mile until you reach a road junction.
9. Turn right to Parwich and follow on for approx. half a mile, and at the sharp bend turn right
signposted Pike Hill three miles. This is a gradually ascending lane which is narrow in places but
has passing points.
10. After approx. 2.5 miles there is a bridge in front of you. Before this, turn right (signed Car
Park) which will take you back to the start of the ride/drive.
General Information
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map Number OL24
This route is part of The British Horse Society National Equestrian Route Network. This is
available to view digitally for free at www.emagin.org.
Local amenities:
Parking: There are two suggested parking places:
(i)
(ii)
Parking is avaiable at the start of the route, at Wirksworth Dale Car Park, which is
situated north of Brassington (note this park is accessed via a narrow lane).
Parking is also avaialble at Mininglow Car Park.
Accommodation: Hoe Grange Holidays
A BHS Horses Welcome establishment, Hoe Grange Holidays offers four well equipped selfcatering log cabins on a working farm. Hoe Grange was awarded the UK’s highest tourism
award for accessibility in 2011, winning the National Enjoy England Excellence Gold Award
for Accessible Tourism.
BHS Insurance: The BHS recommends that before undertaking any part of this route, both
horse and rider should be adequately insured against public liability. The British Horse
Society can provide public liability and personal accident insurance cover, as well as many other
benefits if you join as a member (terms and conditions and territorial limits apply). For more
information or to join call 02476 840506 or visit www.bhs.org.uk.
Feedback: These routes are kept to the standard that the local authority can afford. They
were all accessible at the time of launch and are on definitive public rights of way. If you
experience any problems with the routes or wish to raise any concerns, please contact the
local authority, the local BHS Access Officer or the Access team at BHS HQ.